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AL Central Club Takes Chance On Ex-Red Sox Fan Favorite All-Star With Minor League Deal

Kansas City is making moves right now

Patrick McAvoy

AL Central Club Takes Chance On Ex-Red Sox Fan Favorite All-Star With Minor League Deal
AL Central Club Takes Chance On Ex-Red Sox Fan Favorite All-Star With Minor League Deal /
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One former Boston Red Sox fan favorite officially has found a new home.

Longtime Boston center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. officially signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday afternoon, according to the club. 

Bradley was drafted in the first round of the of the 2011 MLB June Amateur Draft and quickly worked his way up Boston's farm system. The 32-year-old made his MLB debut with Boston in 2013 and spent the first eight years of his career with the Red Sox. After spending the 2021 campaign with the Milwaukee Brewers, Bradley returned to Boston again for part of the 2022 season.

In his career with the Red Sox, Bradley developed into one of the best defensive center fielders in the entire league. He took home the 2018 American League Gold Glove Award in center field and also nabbed his lone All-Star appearance with the club in 2016. 

While Bradley isn't guaranteed a spot on the Royals' active roster, he certainly is an intriguing acquisition. Kansas City's expected starting center fielder currently is Drew Waters but he has just 32 games of MLB experience so it isn't a sure thing that he sticks in the spot long term. 

Bradley has had his fair share of offensive woes throughout his career but he still is an elite defensive outfielder who can get hot at the plate. If he's able to shine in spring training we may see him on the active roster sooner rather than later. Even if he doesn't make the club out of camp, he at least provides Kansas City with an above average minor league depth option if the team sends him to the minors. 

While Bradley isn't a sure thing in Kansas City, it's nice to see him back in the league for sure. 

More MLB: Young Red Sox Prospect Already Drawing Comparisons To NL Star; Could He Make Club?

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Patrick McAvoy
PATRICK MCAVOY

Patrick McAvoy's experiences include local and national sports coverage at the New England Sports Network with a focus on baseball and basketball. Outside of journalism, Patrick also is pursuing an MBA at Brandeis University. After quickly rising as one of the most productive writers on the site, he expanded his reach to write for Baseball Essential, a national baseball site in Sports Illustrated Media Group. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu

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